Alfred Nzo District Municipality Mayor Sixolile Mehlomakhulu said it was shocking and painful to lose the two young lives through such an incident.

Mehlomakhulu said both the Umzimvubu Local Municipality and Alfred Nzo District Municipality had assisted the family with funeral arrangements as they were a struggling family.

"The delegations from both municipalities visited the Masumpa family to send our condolences and to comfort them; we have seen that they needed assistance, hence we have stepped in," said Mehlomakhulu.

"Once again we send our condolences to both the Masumpa and Mapekula families and we wish to put in on record that no family deserves the pain these two families are currently going through," he added.

Umzimvubu Local Municipality mayor, Bulelwa Mabhengu said: "It's unfortunate that our society has been exposed to one the most horrific incidents to unfold in our area.

"The municipality has visited both families to sympathise with the sudden loss of their loved ones. It's with this reason that we would like to plead with all communities to unite against this act and proactively rebuke cannibalism," said Mabengu.

Both mayors said they would work with other government department to facilitate awareness campaigns to ensure that communities were vigilant and proactive to prevent such incidents from happing.

Mapekula, who died at the Nelson Mandela Central Hospital‚ where he was admitted after being shot by police, will also be buried on Saturday in KwaBhaca.

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